Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum

Description

The Museum: Rothenburg ob der Tauber is not only the epitome of medieval town romance, but also the home of the world-famous Medieval Crime Museum, which welcomes over 110,000 visitors annually, including about 40,000 children and pupils. In two buildings, on roughly 2,500 m², it displays almost 2,000 exhibits spanning 1,000 years of legal history. The medieval criminal trial, torture and execution instruments are shown, as are objects used to carry out disciplinary punishments — such as pillories, shame masks and neck yokes. A highlight of the Criminal Museum is the Iron Maiden of Nuremberg, made world-famous by Bram Stoker. Ample space is devoted to illustrations of famous criminal cases as well as precious legal books and documents. Marginalized groups such as witches, robbers and executioners are also examined. Although Rothenburg’s townscape reflects the living environment of our ancestors, anyone who wants to learn more about their legal circumstances should visit the Medieval Crime Museum.